One Night (The Sullivan Family, #4)

by Lena Hendrix

anyone who has ever felt like you were fading into the background. You deserve a man who looks at you and says, “For you, I would.”

part of me loved that there was a piece of her reserved only for me.

The world’s most gorgeous woman was taking time out of her day to text me, and I was talking about the fucking weather.

“You aren’t boring. You’re . . . special, Sylvie.” He was quiet, and I was too stunned to speak. “Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”

I wish I could have you. I wish you were mine. In reality, I have wanted you for years and I hate that I can’t have you. I thought that taking care of my dad and giving up everything was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do, but the truth is that wanting you is by far the single hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Today was going to change everything.

I swear I can give you everything you’ll ever need.”

“I should have called you this morning. That’s on me. I don’t want you to ever question how I feel about you.”

I had no clue how we were going to work this out, but it didn’t matter. The day was coming when I was going to claim Sylvie as mine, if she would have me. My whole life had been a series of setting my wants and needs to the side to take care of everyone else. If I could survive a lifetime of that, I would survive this. If she didn’t want me, I would learn to patch the gaping, Sylvie-size hole in my chest for the sake of her happiness.

Sylvie King is having my baby. The singular truth in that statement was my only comfort. That, and knowing I would protect her with my life.

“I’m the only one here who gives a shit about your daughter. That’s what I’m doing here.” Tension filled the air as Duke clenched and unclenched his fists. “Now, I would hate to disrespect a man in his family home, but that’s the mother of my child you’re speaking to. If you can’t speak to her with respect, then you speak to me.”

“You know you can do this, right?” I looked at him, questioning. “You’re stronger than you think. You don’t need anybody. But what I’m telling you is you don’t have to do it alone.”

“Sylvie, I liked you before this happened. You are funny and sweet and full of fire. I am willing to take you in any form you’re willing to give me. You have my word that I will be the best father to our kid.”

“Despite everyone in this town—in the entire world—it really is just us. Why are we letting them decide when we get to be happy?”

“What are you doing?” I suppressed a smile. “I’m showing you what it means to be cared for by a man like me.”

She was so goddamn cute, and I was scared to death. I was falling in love with the mother of my child, and I had absolutely no clue what to do about it.

“Love alone can’t mend the bridges we burn, nor can it heal the wounds that time has etched.”

“You know, I’ve had this fantasy,” he confessed, his voice low and intimate. “Oh?” I raised a playful eyebrow. “Yeah.” He grinned. “It involves dancing with a beautiful woman in my kitchen.”

I pray he has your laugh, the kind that carries into the next room and radiates warmth. I hope he won’t lose hope for his dreams and he’ll let his imagination grow wild. I hope he is as strong as you and that his emotions will run deep. I hope he is exactly like you and loving him will be the easiest thing I have ever done.”

“I never danced before, because I could never dance with you.”

“Fuck no. I know I don’t deserve her.” His expression faltered at my admission. “But do you even realize how much this petty feud is hurting her?” I allowed my eyes to graze over the King men. “She has done nothing wrong, and you shun her like she means absolutely nothing to you. If you do find the time to acknowledge her presence, you somehow find a way to make her feel small. So no, you don’t deserve her love any more than I do. You’re just mad because of my last name. I worship the ground she walks on, so what the fuck is your problem?”

“I’m choosing her. I will always choose her.”

“You are stubborn, woman, but you will hear me. You may have gone your whole life without people prioritizing you, but that ends with me.” His eyes moved over my features as my lip quivered. “Sylvie, it’s you or no one. It has always been you.”

“Don’t cry, baby. I’m trying to tell you that I love you—that I have loved you for far too long without telling you. Before we ever got pregnant, I fell in love with your smile, your humor, your heart. I used to imagine a world where Outtatowner didn’t exist and I could flirt with you, sweep you off your feet, and take you for coffee. Show you off to my family. I don’t care what your last name is as long as it eventually becomes Sullivan.”

“A man like that, one that will honor his relationship above his own blood, that’s someone I could grow to respect.”

“I found your Pinterest page.” My eyes searched his as a soft blush stained his cheeks. “I wanted this to be a space where you felt safe, where our baby and you—all of us—could spend time together. Where he knows, no matter what, he is loved for exactly who he is.”

“You’ve had my heart for a long time, Sylvie. Before the baby—hell, even before the beach, I was so fucking gone for you. I have loved you for a long time. It’s always been you, but I was too afraid to say it. Afraid that if I said the words out loud, I’d somehow wake up from this dream, and it would all disappear. I wanted to tell you tonight over candlelight and with flowers just the two of us—but here in this moment, I feel it. I want to go with you to Savannah, and I don’t want to keep that from you for a second longer. I love you. I have always loved you. You’re it for me, and I can’t live this life without you.”

“Loving her is like breathing.” The admission tumbled out of me in a whoosh of breath, without hesitation.

“I choose you over anyone else, in any circumstance, for the rest of my life. You will always know what it means to be loved by a man like me. I promise.”

Everything could change with one decision if only we were brave enough to make it.